Bills fire GM Doug Whaley, entire scouting staff

The Buffalo Bills, who have not made the playoffs since 1999, are looking for a new direction in the front office.

The uncomfortable final days of general manager Doug Whaley in Buffalo have come to an end.

The Bills announced Sunday morning they had fired Whaley. The team also cleaned house in the pro and amateur scouting departments as the franchise moves in a new direction in the front office after extending their playoff drought that stems back to 1999.

"After a thorough review of our football operations over the past several months, Kim and I informed Doug this morning that we will be moving in a new direction," read the release from Bills owner Terry Pegula, also speaking on behalf of his wife, Kim.

"This was my decision. It was not an easy decision, but I believe it was the right one for the future of the Buffalo Bills."

Whaley, who has held the post since 2013, has been under fire for some time, and a change has been expected. Buffalo News reporter Jerry Sullivan wrote Saturday that, "Whaley is a dead man walking at this point, a pathetic figure. As I said a month ago, they should have fired him and been done with it."

Whaley has found himself in some awkward situations in recent months, including the media conference after the season announcing coach Rex Ryan had been fired.

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reports Panthers assistant GM Brandon Beane is the leading candidate to replace Whaley. Beane has a working relationship with new Bills coach Sean McDermott.